Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Persons fulfilling their replanting obligations are not entitled to afforestation premiums. In line with state aid rules, afforestation premiums are used to incentivise landowners to undertake a land use change to forestry.

However, such a person may be eligible for Intervention 7 of our New Forestry Programme 2023-2027 - Climate Resilient Reforestation. This pilot scheme will be launched in coming months.

Mandatory replanting conditions are determined as per the Department’s Felling and Reforestation Policy (DAFM, 2017) and in line with Sustainable Forest Management Principles. However, the opportunity exists to incentivise species diversity and alternative forest management systems at reforestation stage over and above these mandatory requirements.

The proposed Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot Scheme aims to provide supports at reforestation that incentivise species and structural diversity. This can result in an increase in the resilience and adaptiveness of forest land to climate related threats.

Many forests in Ireland have been established and managed under an even-aged management structure and there is a need for a greater balance between these and forests managed under closer to nature silviculture such as Continuous Cover Forestry, and semi-natural forest.

This intervention will be delivered through a Reforestation Scheme with 3 Elements:

1: Reforestation for Continuous Cover Forestry

2: Reforestation for Native Woodlands

3: Reforestation for Biodiversity and Water Protection

In addition to mandatory requirements set under replanting conditions, all elements will be subject to DAFM’s Forestry Standards, including the accepted species, origin and provenance list. Grant funding will be available for measures that ensure successful re-establishment, such as planting, plant protection (e.g. fencing) and maintenance.